Russia: a Short History

From the emergence of the first Slavic state to the conflict in Chechnya and the policies of Vladimir Putin, this is a concise yet thoughtful guide to the complex and turbulent history of Russia and its people. Paying particular attention to the implications of a future without Putin at its helm, Abraham Ascher provides a skillful blend of detail and analysis for all the key points in Russian history, from the Bolshevik Revolution to the coup that ousted Gorbachev. Newly updated to cover Russia´s growing economic stature as well as the mounting divergence between Russia and the US´ foreign policy stance, this stimulating introduction will prove useful and enlightening for students, scholars, and travellers alike.